Mounting Portion for a Spout

ABSTRACT

A spout includes a mounting portion to which a pouch of a container assembly is sealed. The exterior of the mounting portion is defined by a smooth, non-angled surface free of edges or sharp transition portions, and is defined along its height by a generally sinusoidal, wave-like pattern formed by alternating peaks and troughs. The exterior of the mounting portion is structured such that the ratio of the length of the portion of the mounting portion exterior surface extending between adjacent peaks to the height between adjacent peaks is minimized to no more than 10%, and more preferably no more than 5%. By minimizing this ratio, the amount that a pouch will stretch if it is pushed into the cavities formed between adjacent peaks of the mounting portion (e.g. during an HPP process) is minimized, thereby preventing damage to the pouch and/or attachment between the pouch and spout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 15/866,408, filed Jan. 9, 2018, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2017/014123, filed Jan. 19, 2017,both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a container assembly having a spoutwith a modified mounting portion. The modified mounting portion isconfigured to minimize or prevent any damage to the pouch and/or theconnection between the spout and pouch when changes in temperatureand/or pressure occur, or when external forces are imparted onto thecontainer assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a spout for use with a flexible container includes aflow channel configured to fluidly connect an interior of the containerwith a location outside the container. A mounting portion is formedabout the flow channel.

The mounting portion comprises a generally vertically extending wallhaving an inner surface and an exterior surface. The inner surface ofthe wall defines an opening that is in fluid communication with the flowchannel and the interior of the container.

One or more horizontally extending raised elements extend radiallyoutwards from the exterior surface of the wall. Each of the raisedelements have a mounting surface configured for sealing to an innersurface of the container.

A distance as measured along a height of the mounting portion between afirst mounting surface of a first element and a second mounting surfaceof an adjacent second element is defined by a length H. A distance asmeasured along the periphery of a portion of the exterior surfaceextending between the first mounting surface and the second mountingsurface is defined by a length P. The length P is no more than 10%greater than the length H.

In one embodiment, a spout for attachment to a flexible pouch includes acylindrical tube surrounding a central channel. The tube has an inletend and an outlet end. A mounting portion is located along a lowerportion of the tube.

The mounting portion includes first and second walls. Each of the firstand second walls have an interior surface, an exterior surface, a firstvertical edge and a second vertical edge. The first and second walls areattached to one another along their first and second vertical edges. Anopening is defined between the interior surfaces of the first and secondwall. The opening is in fluid communication with the inlet end of thetube so that contents of a pouch may be accessed from outside of thepouch through the central channel and the opening.

The exterior surfaces of each of the first and second walls define acurvilinear wave-like pattern formed of alternating peaks and troughs.The pattern of each of the first and second exterior surfaces extendalong a height of the mounting portion from bottom ends of the first andsecond walls to top ends of the first and second walls.

In one embodiment, a pouch and spout assembly includes a pouch definingan interior in which contents may be stored and a spout. The spoutincludes a flow channel that fluidly connects the interior of the pouchwith a location outside the pouch. A mounting portion is formed aboutthe flow channel.

The mounting portion includes a generally vertically extending wallhaving an inner surface and an exterior surface. The inner surface ofthe wall defines an opening that is in fluid communication with the flowchannel and the interior of the pouch.

One or more mounting structures extend radially outwards from and spacedalong a height of the exterior surface of the wall. An inner surface ofthe pouch is sealed to the spout along the mounting structures to form afluid-tight interface.

One or more cavities are formed between adjacent mounting structures.Each cavity is bounded in its entirety by the inner surface of theportion of the pouch extending between the adjacent mounting structuresand the portion of the exterior surface wall extending between theadjacent mounting structures.

The arrangement of the mounting structures along the exterior surface ofthe wall prevents the portion of the pouch extending between adjacentmounting structures to stretch any more than 10% relative to theoriginal length of the portion of the pouch when the pouch is forcedradially inwards from an initial location towards the exterior surfaceof the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a container assembly including a closure and spout assemblyattached to a pouch-type container according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a container assembly having a spout with aconventional mounting portion prior to undergoing high pressureprocessing;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the container assembly of FIG. 2 undergoinghigh pressure processing, as well as an enlarged view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a spout having a mounting portionaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the spout of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the spout of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the spout of FIG. 4, as well as an enlargedview thereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the spout of FIG. 4 attached toa pouch, as well as an enlarged view thereof;

FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of a mounting portion of a spoutaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9B is side view of the mounting portion of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of a mounting portion of a spoutaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10B is side view of the mounting portion of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a container assembly having a spout as shownin FIG. 4; prior to undergoing high pressure processing, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the container assembly of FIG. 11 undergoinghigh pressure processing, as well as an enlarged view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a spout including a mounting portionhaving a vent according to an exemplary embodiment, as well as anenlarged view thereof;

FIG. 14 is bottom perspective view of the spout of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view from above taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 1according to one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the spout of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the spout of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the spout of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a perspective sectional view from above taken along line19-19 of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view from below taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 1according to one embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a spout including a mounting portionhaving a vent according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the spout of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective sectional view from above taken along line23-23 of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view from below taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 1according to one embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a spout including a mounting portionhaving a vent according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view from below taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 1according to one embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of a spout including a mountingportion having a vent according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a front perspective view of a spout including a mountingportion having a vent according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 29 shows a container assembly including a pouch having a ventfeature according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 29according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view of the container assembly of FIG.31;

FIG. 33 illustrates a container assembly including a vent structureundergoing high pressure processing; according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the container assembly of FIG. 29having a mounting portion as shown in FIG. 4 according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective view of the container assembly of FIG.34;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a closure assembly including a closureand a spout according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 37A is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 36 according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 37B is a bottom perspective view of the closure of FIG. 37A;

FIG. 37C is another perspective view of the closure of FIG. 37A;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a closure according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of a closure according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a bottom perspective view of a closure according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 41A is a bottom perspective view of a closure according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 41B is a bottom perspective view of the closure of FIG. 41A;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a section of the closure of FIG.37A;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 37A coupled tothe spout of FIG. 4 according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a detailed view of FIG. 43 showing the interaction betweenthe spout and closure according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of a closure and spout assembly ofFIG. 43 after the tamper band has been broken;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the bottom of the closure of FIG. 37Aafter the tamper band has been broken;

FIG. 47A is a bottom view of the closure of FIG. 37A with an intacttamper band; and

FIG. 47B is a bottom view of the closure of FIG. 37A with a brokentamper band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a containerassembly including a pouch, closure and related spout are described. Inparticular embodiments, the spout includes a mounting portion that isconfigured to minimize or prevent damage to the pouch and/or theconnection between the spout and pouch. In some embodiments, the spoutand/or pouch may additionally include one or more vents that provide forfluid communication between the ambient environment and internal spacesformed between the pouch and the spout to allow for pressure within theinternal spaces to equalize with respect to the ambient environment. Insome embodiments, the closure comprises a tamper band that includes oneor more hinges configured to increase the resistance required to breakthe tamper band so as to prevent the tamper band from inadvertentlydistorting and/or breaking prior to twist-off of the closure from thespout during opening of the container.

The closure and the tamper band discussed herein may be particularlysuitable for containers, for example food or drink containers, intendedfor use by children. For example, because the tamper band remainsattached to the closure after the container is opened, the likelihoodthat the tamper band is accidentally swallowed by a user may be reduced.Specifically, because the tamper band is removed along with the removalof the closure, it does not remain near the opening of the containerwhere a user may place their mouth. Furthermore, because in someembodiments the wall sections of the tamper band are attached at bothends to the upper portion of the closure by hinges located at each endof the wall section, the radially outward movement of the wall sectionsafter the tamper band has been broken is relatively constrained. Assuch, in the event the closure is swallowed by a user, the broken, freeends of the tamper band are less likely to damage or pierce the airwayof the user.

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for the purpose of description onlyand should not be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 shows a container assembly 10 according to one embodiment.Container assembly 10 includes a container, shown as pouch 16 and aclosure assembly, including a closure 12 and a spout 14. In general,pouch 16 includes container contents, such as liquid, semi-liquid, orpowdered food or beverage, within pouch 16, and spout 14 provides achannel through which the contents of pouch 16 can be accessed. In theembodiment shown, pouch 16 is a flexible, squeezable type of containerwhich may be formed from a flexible material. In various embodiments,the flexible material may be a material such as a thermoplastic sheet ora foil pouch. In other embodiments, closure 12 and spout 14 may be usedin conjunction with other types of containers, such as plastic bottlesor composite (paper, cardboard, etc.) boxes, or pouches fabricated fromsuitable laminated materials. In specific embodiments, the contents ofpouch 16 may be food or beverage intended for consumption by a child,such as baby food, yogurt, apple sauce, etc.

As will be generally understood, the lower end of pouch 16 may providean end wall or rim providing a stable base for pouch 16 to sit in theupright position shown in FIG. 1. The spout 14 may be assembled with theclosure 12 before attachment of the spout 14 to a pouch 16 that has beenprefilled with contents. Alternatively, the spout 14 may be insertedinto an empty pouch 16 that is then filled with contents through thespout 14, after which the closure 12 is added to the spout 14.

In various embodiments, the closure 12 and/or spout 14 may be formedfrom a molded plastic material. In various embodiments, closure 12and/or spout 14 may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, or any other suitable plastic material. In variousembodiments, the closure 12 and/or spout 14 may be formed through anysuitable molding method including injection molding, compressionmolding, etc.

Shown in FIG. 2 is one embodiment of a container assembly 10′ comprisinga spout 14′ having a conventional mounting portion 140′. As illustratedin FIG. 2, conventional mounting portion 140′ includes a centralstructure 155′ surrounding a central channel 152′ that fluidly connectsthe contents of the interior of the pouch 16′ with the exteriorenvironment when the pouch 16′ and spout 14′ are attached.

Extending radially outwards from the central structure 155′ is a bottomsealing wall 143′. Also extending radially outwards from the centralstructure 155′ and located above bottom sealing wall 143′ are aplurality of horizontally spaced ribs 145′. As shown in FIG. 2, theoutermost peripheries of bottom sealing wall 143′ and ribs 145′ aredefined by generally identical geometries and dimensions. Defining theoutermost peripheries of ribs 145′ and bottom sealing wall 143′ areouter surfaces 148′ that extend in between and generally perpendicularto the upper and lower surfaces of bottom sealing wall 143′ and each ofthe ribs 145′.

The inner surfaces of pouch 16′ are attached to the mounting portion140′ of spout 14′ along the outer surfaces 148′ of bottom sealing wall143′ and ribs 145′ to form container assembly 10′. Once the pouch 16′has been attached to the mounting portion 140′, the only fluidcommunication between the interior of the pouch 16′ and the exteriorenvironment is through the central channel 152′.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the pouch 16′ is attached to the mountingportion 140′ along the outer surfaces 148′ of bottom sealing wall 143′and ribs 145′, empty spaces or cavities 190′ are defined betweenadjacent ribs 145′ and between the bottommost rib 145′ and bottomsealing wall 143′.

As shown in FIG. 2, the volume of cavities 190′ is defined by the upperand lower surfaces of adjacent ribs 145; the exterior surface of thecentral structure 155′ extending between the upper and lower surfaces ofadjacent ribs 145; and the interior surface of the portion of the pouch16′ extending between the upper and lower surfaces of adjacent ribs145′.

Referring to the enlarged portion of FIG. 2, the portion of the outersurface of the mounting portion 140′ extending between the outersurfaces 148′ of adjacent ribs 145′ defines an outer periphery P′.Periphery P′ extends along the lower surface of a first rib 145′, theouter surface of central structure 155′ and the upper surface of asecond adjacent rib 145′ located below the first 145′. A height H′ isdefined by the distance between adjacent ribs 145′, and also correspondsto the length of the portion of pouch 16′ extending between the outersurfaces 148′ of adjacent ribs 145′.

Owing to the large spacing D′ between the outer surfaces 148′ of ribs145′ and the outer surface of the exterior of the central structure155′, as well as the angular, perpendicular arrangement of ribs ′145along central structure 155′, the length of the perimeter P′ issignificantly (i.e. more than 10%) greater than the length H′ betweenadjacent outer surfaces 148′.

When a spout 14′ having a conventional mounting portion 140′ such asshown in FIG. 2 is sealed, bonded, or otherwise attached to pouch 16′,air may become trapped between spaces 190′. As the ambient temperatureand/or pressure in which the assembled pouch 16′ and spout 14′ assemblyare stored changes or fluctuates, the pressure within spaces 190′ and/orthe volume of the air trapped in spaces 190′ may also change. Thesechanges in ambient pressure and/or temperature may occurunintentionally, for example during storage or transport. In otherembodiments, the changes in ambient pressure and/or temperature may beimparted intentionally, e.g. during preservation of sterilizationprocedures such as high pressure processing (“HPP”) or pascalization.

Referring to FIG. 3, the container assembly 10′ of FIG. 2 is shownundergoing HPP. During the HPP process, such as provided by AvureTechnologies, filled containers are placed under pressures of over80,000 psi using a fluid, such as water. By processing foods atextremely high water pressure (up to 6,000 bar/87,000 psi—more than thedeepest ocean), Avure represents that its HPP machines neutralizelisteria, salmonella, E. coli and other deadly bacteria that may bepresent in the contents of the containers prior to the HPP process.Unlike thermal, chemical and other high-heat treatments, HPP runs atcold temperatures to reduce altering food taste, texture or quality, orthe requirement of adding of chemicals to maintain freshness or toexceed shelf-life.

During the HPP process, the ambient pressure surrounding the containerassembly 10′ is increased. As the ambient pressure surrounding thecontainer 10′ increases, increasing forces are exerted on the outersurfaces of the sidewalls of pouch 16′. However, despite the changingexternal pressure, because cavities 190′ are sealed from the ambientenvironment (i.e. there is no fluid communication between the cavities190′ and the ambient environment) the pressure within cavities 190′remains unchanged. Because the pressure within cavities 190′ remainsunchanged, the forces exerted on the inner surfaces of the sidewalls ofpouch 16′ remain unchanged during HPP.

As the ambient pressure continues to increase during HPP, the forcesexerted on the outer surfaces of the sidewalls pouch 16′ also increase,thereby causing an imbalance between the forces applied to the exteriorsurfaces of the pouch 16′ and the forces applied to the interiorsurfaces of the pouch 16′, with the forces acting on the exteriorsurfaces of the pouch 16′ being greater than the forces acting on theinner surfaces of the pouch 16′. As the difference in the pressureoutside of the container assembly 10′ and pressure within cavities 190′continues to increase, the greater forces acting on the exteriorsurfaces of the pouch 16′ begin to push the pouch 16′ into cavities190′.

Given the structure of the conventional mounting portion 140′, theimbalance between the forces acting on the exterior surfaces of thepouch 16′ and those acting on the interior surfaces of the pouch 16′ mayresult in damage to the attachment/bond between the pouch 16′ and spout14′ and/or damage to the material forming the pouch 16′. Specifically,the large ratio (i.e. greater than 10% difference) between the length ofthe perimeter P′ of the portion of the outer surface of the mountingportion 140′ extending between the outer surfaces 148′ of adjacent ribs145′ and the height H′ of the portion of the pouch 16′ extending betweenadjacent ribs 145′ as well as the corresponding large volume defined bycavities 190′, provide a large surface area and volume along which/intowhich the pouch 16′ may increasingly be pushed into.

Because the configuration and structure of the conventional mountingportion 140′ defines a large area and space, as increasing forces pushthe pouch 16′ inwards, the large surface area P′ and the large volume ofspaces allow the pouch 16′ to be collapsed/forced further and furtherinto cavities 190′. As the pouch 16′ continues to be forced fartherinwards, the material forming the pouch 16′ is stretched and may beginto deform, resulting in permanent deflection of the material of thepouch 16′. In some circumstances, such as illustrated in the enlargedsection of FIG. 3, this stretching of the pouch may eventually cause thepouch 16′ to tear, rupture or otherwise fail.

Additionally, as pouch 16′ is pushed further into spaces 190′,increasing amounts of stress and strain are imparted onto theinterface/attachment/bond between the pouch 16′ and the conventionalmounting portion 140′. These imparted forces may act to adverselyaffect, deteriorate, detach, or otherwise impair the initial fluid-tightsealing engagement formed between the pouch 16′ and the conventionalmounting portion 140′ of spout 14′.

Moreover, the sharp, angled edges of ribs 145′ may further damage thepouch as the pouch 16′ is forced inwards. As pouch 16′ is pushed intospaces 190′, the material of the pouch 16′ is increasingly deflected asit is stretched over the sharp, angled edges of ribs 145′. In somecircumstances, such as e.g. shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 3,this deflection or stretching of the pouch 16′ over the edges of ribs145′ may result in a large enough concentration of stress on thematerial of the pouch 16′ to contribute to and eventually lead to thematerial failure of the pouch 16′, e.g. resulting intearing or rupturingof the pouch 16′.

As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, one of challenges of using containerassemblies 10 in situations where the container assembly 10 may besubject to changes in pressure and/or temperature and/or other externalforces (such as, e.g. during HPP), is the development of pouches 16,spouts 14, and/or pouch 16/spout 14 interfaces that can withstand suchchanges without negatively affecting the container assembly 10. Shown isFIGS. 4-35 are various embodiments of spout 14 and/or pouch 16 featuresthat may be incorporated into a container assembly 10 and which areconfigured to prevent or limit the tearing, detachment, rupturing,degradation, deformation and/or other damage of the pouch 16 and/or theattachment between the spout 14 and pouch 16 that container assembles10′ having conventional mounting portions 140′ are normally susceptibleto.

As illustrated in and described with references to FIGS. 4-12, invarious embodiments spout 14 comprises a mounting portion 40 configuredto minimize the spaces 190 formed between the inner surfaces of pouch 16and the exterior surfaces of mounting portion 40 when pouch 16 and spout14 are attached. In various embodiments, the mounting portion 40 mayalso be configured to be defined by generally smoothly transitioningexternal surfaces having large radii of curvature and formed free of, orwith minimal amounts of angled portions so as to avoid stressconcentrations. The incorporation of such features in the mountingportion 40 minimizes or prevent the material of the pouch 16 frompermanently deflecting, tearing, rupturing or otherwise failing in theevent the pouch 16 is stretched across the exterior surfaces of themounting portion 40, such as may occur, for example during HPP

In other embodiments, such as e.g. illustrated in and described withreference to FIGS. 13-33, one or more vent features may be incorporatedinto the spout 14 and/or pouch 16 of container assembly 10. The ventsmay be configured to allow for fluid communication between the spaces190 defined by mounting portion 140 and the ambient environment. Byproviding a path for air to pass between the ambient environment andcavities 190, pressure within spaces 190 is allowed to equalize withthat of the ambient pressure such that the pouch 16 is not collapsedinto spaces 190 when the ambient pressure changes.

In yet other embodiments, such as illustrated in the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 34 and 35, the container assembly 10 may includeboth a spout 14 having a modified mounting portion 40 such as describedwith reference to FIGS. 4-12 as well as one or more vent structuresformed in the pouch 16 and/or spout 14, such as described with referenceto FIGS. 13-33.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, a spout 14 having a mounting portion 40according to one embodiment is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 4, spout 14includes a tube 20 extending about the longitudinal axis of the spout 14and defining a central channel 52 that extends through spout 14 from aninput or inlet opening to an output or outlet opening. In general,central channel 52 provides a pathway from the interior of a container(such as pouch 16) to the exterior of the container through whichcontainer contents can be accessed and removed. Located on the upperportion of spout 14 is a closure engagement structure, shown as threads58 that engage cooperating threads 59 of closure 12.

Below threads 58, the spout 14 may include one or more annular flangesthat extend radially out from the exterior surface of the tube 20. Asshown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment spout 14 includes an upper flange 60,a central flange 64, and a lower flange 62.

Located below lower flange 62 is a mounting portion 40. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments mounting portion 40 may have agenerally trapezoidal shape, e.g. a rhomboid shape, with roundedvertices, such as the canoe-shape defined by first and second walls 90.As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the side edges of the first and second walls90 may be joined, with the interior surfaces of the first and secondwalls 90 defining an opening 91 which is in fluid communication with thecentral channel 52. In other embodiments, the bottom of mounting portion40 may be sealed by an end wall extending between first and second walls90, with an opening being provided in the end wall that provides fluidcommunication between the interior of the pouch 16 and the centralchannel 52.

In some embodiments, such as illustrated by the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6,the ends of the first and second walls 90 may be joined along outwardlyextending wings 28 located at each of the first and second ends of thewalls 90. As shown in FIG. 4, wings 28 are formed of generally flat,smooth planar structures that extend from the bottom to the top ends ofwalls 90. When the spout 14 is attached to the pouch 16, the wings 28extend within the pouch 16 and are attached to the inner surfaces of thesidewalls of the pouch 16, such that spout 14 is supported from thepouch 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The fluid-tight attachment or bondingbetween the pouch 16 and the wings 28 may involve an adhesive, a meltedthermoplastic, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or other means forsealing the structures together.

The outer surfaces of walls 90 are formed with a mounting structure towhich the pouch 16 may be attached. Along with wings 28, mountingstructures provide surfaces to which the inner surfaces of pouch 16 maybe connected to the spout 14 via a fluid-tight attachment.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in one embodiment mounting structure comprises asmoothly undulating, generally sinusoidal, wave-like pattern formedon/defined by the exterior surface of each of the first and second walls90. Wave-like pattern extends along the height of the mounting portion40 from the bottom to the top ends of walls 90.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the wave-like pattern formed on the exterior ofwalls 90 may include one or more peaks 93 that extend between wings 28,from the first edge to the second edge of each of the first and secondwalls 90. Adjacent peaks 93 are vertically separated from one another bytroughs 94, which also extend between wings 28, from the first edge ofthe second edge of each of the first and second walls 90.

In some embodiments, walls 90 may be molded or otherwise formed suchthat the peaks 93 and troughs 94 defining the wave-like pattern areformed integrally and monolithically with the walls 90, with thewave-like pattern defining the exterior surfaces of walls 90. In otherembodiments, discrete elements formed separately from the walls 90 maybe attached to the exterior surfaces of walls 90 to form the wave-likepattern on the exterior surfaces of the walls 90.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment of FIGS. 4-8, in which thepouch 16 and spout 14 are to be attached via welding, weld ribs orenergy directors 96 may be provided along the crests of one or morepeaks 93. Illustrated in FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an embodiment ofa mounting portion 40 formed with weld ribs 96 prior to attachment ofthe pouch 16 to the spout 14.

As shown in FIG. 7, prior to attachment of the pouch 16 to the spout 14,weld ribs 96 protrude outwards from peaks 93. However, as shown in FIG.8, once the pouch 16 has been welded to spout 14, the outwardlyprotruding structure of weld ribs 96 no longer defines a portion of theouter surface of walls 90. Instead, as illustrated in FIG. 8, oncemounting portion 40 and pouch 16 have been welded together the walls 90extend along a curved, generally sinusoidal wave-like pattern defined bypeaks 93 and troughs 94 and which extends along the height of mountingportion 40.

In other embodiments, pouch 16 and spout 14 may be attached via otherconnections besides welding. In embodiments which do not require weldribs 96 to attach pouch 16 to spout 14, mounting portion 40 can beformed without weld ribs 96, e.g. as illustrated in the embodiment shownin FIGS. 9A and 9B. In some embodiments, e.g. where spout 14 and pouch16 are to be attached via an adhesive connection, the crests of peaks 93may be slightly flattened, such as illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 10A and 10B so as to provide a mounting surface 97 to which pouch16 may be securely adhered.

When spout 14 and pouch 16 are assembled, pouch 16 is attached to themounting portion 40 along the crests of peaks 93. Similar to aconventional mounting portion 140′ (such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3),once spout 14 and pouch 16 are assembled, spaces or cavities 190 aredefined between the exterior surface of walls 90 of mounting portion 40and the inner surfaces of pouch 16.

Similar to a container assembly 10′ having a conventional mountingportion 140′ (and as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 above),under certain circumstances (e.g. changes in pressure) the pouch 16 maybe forced inwards into cavities 190 defined by the mounting portion 40of spout 14. As also described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in somecircumstances, such as e.g. during HPP, where the change in pressure isvery large, the pouch 16 may be pushed so far into cavities 190 that theinner surface of pouch 16 is forced up against a majority or entirety ofthe exterior surface P of the mounting portion extending betweenadjacent points of attachment of the pouch 16 to the mounting portion.

However, in contrast to the damage that the cavities 190′ of aconventional mounting portion 140′ may cause when the forces acting onthe outer surfaces of the pouch 16′ exceed the forces acting on theinner surfaces of pouch 16′, the cavities 190 of a mounting portion 40according to any of FIGS. 4-12 do not result in similar stretching,distortion, or other damage to the pouch 16 and/or the attachmentbetween the pouch 16 and spout 14 under similar conditions.Specifically, the wave-like pattern formed along the exterior surfacesof walls 90 of mounting portion 40 is configured to prevent or minimizeany damage, stretching and/or other distortion of the pouch 16 in theevent that external forces acting on the outer surfaces of the pouch 16become greater than the forces acting on the inner surfaces of the pouch16, e.g. such as would occur during HPP.

As noted above, when pouch 16 and spout 14 are attached, the pouch 16 isattached to mounting portion 40 along the crests of peaks 93. As shownin FIG. 8, the distance between crests of adjacent peaks 93 is definedby a height H. This distance H also corresponds to the length of theportion of the pouch 16 that extends between crests of adjacent peaks93. With further reference to the enlarged portion of FIG. 8, theportion of the exterior surface of the wall 90 that extends from thecrest of a first peak 93 along trough 94 to the crest of an adjacentpeak 93 is defined by a length P.

In order to minimize possible damage to the pouch 16, the depth D oftroughs 94 and the curvature of the wave-like pattern defined by peaks93 and troughs 94 is configured such that the length P of the perimeterof the exterior surface of the mounting portion 40 extending betweencrests of adjacent peaks 93 is no more than 10% greater than the lengthH of the portion of the pouch 16 extending between adjacent peaks 93.More specifically, in one embodiment, the mounting portion 40 isconfigured such that the length of the perimeter P of the curveextending between crests of adjacent peaks 93 is only between 4 and 6%greater than the length H of the portion of pouch 16 extending betweenadjacent crests, and more specifically no more than 5% greater than H.

By limiting the ratio of the dimensions of P to be no greater than 10%,and more specifically between 4-6%, e.g. no more than 5% greater thanthe dimensions of H, the amount of the deformation or stretching of thepouch 16 and/or the damage to the attachment between spout 14 and pouch14 that may occur under circumstances where the pouch 16 is forcedinwards into cavities 190 are minimized.

In addition to the minimized P:H ratio, the mounting portion 40 may alsoinclude other features configured to minimize the risk of the pouch 16being torn, ruptured, or otherwise deformed in the event that thesidewalls of the pouch 16 are collapsed into or occlude spaces 190.

In contrast to the angled, perpendicular configuration of ribs 145′ aswell as the arrangement of ribs 145′ along the central structure 152′ ofa conventional mounting portion 140′, the wave-like pattern extendingalong and defining outer surfaces of walls 90 of the mounting portion 40of the various embodiments of FIGS. 4-12 provides a smooth, curvedmounting portion 40 outer surface that is formed with minimal or noedges formed with sharp angles or small radii of curvature. As shown inFIGS. 4-6, the radii of curvature of the various structures formed on,defined by or extending from the mounting portion 40, such as e.g. peaks93, are formed having relatively large radii of curvature.

As illustrated by the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9B, adjacentpeaks 93 and troughs 94 forming the wave-like pattern of walls 90transition between one another along the height of the mounting portion40 along continuous, smooth, gently curved surfaces having relativelylarge radii of curvature. Even in embodiments, such as e.g. shown inFIG. 10B, where the peaks 93 of mounting portion 40 may include flatvertical portions (e.g. mounting surfaces 97), such flat portionstransition into the adjoining curved vertical surfaces along gentlecurves instead of along sharp angles. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5, 9Aand 10A, the horizontally spaced ends 99 of peaks 93 and troughs 94transition into the wings 28 of mounting portion 40 along smooth,generally curved surfaces.

By minimizing or eliminating sharp edges and angled structures and/oredges or structures having small radii of curvature from the structureof the mounting portion 40, potential stress concentrations along themounting portion 40 are minimized. As such, the risk of elastic orpermanent deflection of the material of the pouch 16, as well as therisk that the pouch 16 will snag, rupture, tear or otherwise fail as thepouch 16 moves relative the outer surface of mounting portion 40 isminimized or even prevented. Thus, in the event that pouch 16 may beforced into cavities 190 (such as may occur, e.g. during HPP), thegeometry and configuration of the exterior of mounting portion 40 willminimize or prevent any damage that might otherwise occur if the pouch16 were stretched across stress raisers, such as e.g. the angledsurfaces or edges of a conventional mounting portion 140′. As such, themounting portion 40 is configured to prevent damage such as illustratedfor example in the enlarged view of FIG. 3.

Shown in FIG. 11 is a container assembly 10 having a mounting portion 40as described with reference to FIGS. 4-10B in an initial, unstressedstate. In FIG. 12, the container assembly of FIG. 11 is shown undergoingHPP. As seen in FIG. 12, the increased pressure of the HPP process mayresult in the pouch 16 being pushed inwards into cavities 190. However,because of the minimal P:H ratio, the amount that the pouch 16 isstretched as it is collapsed by the increased pressure into cavities 190is limited to no more than 10%, and more preferably no more than 4-6%,or more specifically no more than 5%, thereby limiting damage to thepouch 16. Furthermore, because of the curved exterior surface ofmounting portion 40, no tearing or rupturing of the pouch 16 occurs asthe pouch 16 is pushed into cavities.

In contrast to the damage to the pouch 16′ and attachment between thepouch 16′ and spout 14′ that occurs to a container assembly 10′ having aconventional mounting portion 140′ during HPP as a result of the sharp,angled exterior surfaces and the large P′:H′ ratio of the conventionalmounting portion 140′ (as illustrated e.g. in FIG. 3), as shown in FIG.12, the distortion to pouch 16 and the attachment of the pouch 16 tospout 14 of a container assembly 10 having a modified mounting portion40 formed with no or minimal structures that may act as stress raisersis minimal, even during HPP.

As discussed above, in additional to incorporating a modified mountingportion 40 such as described with reference to FIGS. 4-12, containerassembly 10 may also comprise one or more vents configured to preventdamage to the pouch 16 and/or the connection between the pouch 16 andspout 14 resulting from changes in temperature and/or pressure and/orfrom external forces that may be applied to the container assembly 10.Referring to FIGS. 13-33, various embodiments of such vents that may beincorporated into container assembly 10 are shown. The ventconfigurations illustrated in and described with reference to FIGS.13-33 are shown as being incorporated into mounting portions 140 insteadof being incorporated into modified mounting portions 40 such as shownin and described with reference to FIGS. 4-12. However, it is to beunderstood that the vent structures shown in any of FIGS. 13-33 maysimilarly be incorporated into a modified mounting portion 40 as shownin as described with reference to FIGS. 4-12.

As shown in FIGS. 13-33, a container assembly 10 formed with ventfeatures may include a mounting portion 140 having a structure that inmany ways is similar to the structure of a conventional mounting portion(e.g., the mounting portion 140′ illustrated in and described withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3). For example, similar to the conventionalmounting portion 140′ of FIGS. 2 and 3, mounting portion 140 maycomprise a plurality of ribs 145 and a bottom sealing wall 143 extendinghorizontally and radially outwards from a central structure 152. Theribs 145 and bottom sealing wall 143 have outer surfaces 148 to whichthe inner surfaces of a pouch 16 are sealed to form container assembly10.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in containerassemblies 10′ having conventional mounting portions 140′, when thepouch 16′ and conventional mounting portion 140′ are assembled, cavities190′ are defined between adjacent ribs 145; bottommost rib 145′ andbottom sealing wall 143; exterior of central structure 152′ and theinterior surface of pouch 16′. In such container assemblies 10′ havingconventional mounting portions 140′, there is no fluid communicationbetween the interior of the cavities 190′ and the exterior environment.Thus, when there are differences between the pressure within cavities190′ and the pressure of the ambient environment, damage to the pouch16′ and/or the connection between spout 14′ and pouch 16′ may occur as aresult of pouch 16′ being pushed into cavities 190′.

Similar to container assemblies 10′ having conventional mountingportions 140′, cavities 190 are also defined between adjacent ribs 145;bottommost rib 145 and bottom sealing wall 143; exterior of centralstructure 152 and the interior surface of pouch 16. However, in contrastto container assemblies 10′, the vents of container assemblies 10incorporating vents (such as, e.g. those described in the exemplaryembodiments of FIGS. 13-33) provide fluid communication between theinteriors of cavities 190 and the exterior environment. As the ventsallow air to travel between the cavities 190 of the mounting portion 140and the ambient environment, the internal pressure within spaces 190 maybe equalized with the pressure external to the container assembly 10.

By allowing for the pressure inside the spaces 190 to be substantiallythe same as the pressure external to the container assembly 10, thevents are configured to prevent pouch 16 from occluding cavities 190.Thus, even though the structure (e.g. spacing of ribs 145 and theangled, sharp edges of ribs 145) of mounting portion 140 may be similarto the structure of conventional mounting portion 140′, because thevents prevent pouch 16 from being pushed into cavities 190 and/orstretched over the edges of ribs 145, these similar mounting portion 140structures do not result in the damage to the container assembly 10 thatwould otherwise occur in a non-vented container assembly 10′ having aconventional mounting portion 140′ (e.g. as shown in FIG. 3).

Referring to FIGS. 13-20, one embodiment of a spout 14 incorporatingvents is shown. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the shape, size andconfiguration of ribs 145 generally mirrors the shape and configurationof bottom sealing wall 143. However, whereas the bottom sealing wall 143extends from one wing 28 to opposite wing 28, such as illustrated inFIG. 15, the ends of ribs 145 are cut short, creating a gap 149 betweenend portions 147 of ribs 145 and the wings 28 to ribs 145. Because theribs 145 are cut short, end portions 147 are defined by rectangularfaces having a height H4 and width W.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the pouch 16 and spout 14 areattached, gaps 149 define vents through which the spaces 190 are influid communication with the outside environment. As shown in FIGS. 14,15 and 20, wings 28 may optionally include transition portions 142 thatextend along a curve from the flat portion of wings 28. The outerperimeters of ribs 145 are configured to form a fluid-tight interfacewith the pouch 16 when the pouch 16 is attached to the ribs 145 ofmounting portion 140. This fluid-tight attachment or bonding between thepouch 16 and the ribs 145 may involve an adhesive, a meltedthermoplastic, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, or other means forsealing the structures together.

As shown in FIG. 20, the outer perimeter of each rib 145 is configuredto form an uninterrupted fluid-tight interface along the entire lengthof each rib 145 with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of pouch 16when the pouch 16 and spout 14 are attached. The structure of the endportions 147 and the curve of the transition portion 142 are configuredsuch that when the pouch 16 and spout 14 are sealed together, the pouch16 lays taut against the outer perimeter of the mounting portion 140 andthe pouch is prevented from occluding gaps 149.

Referring to FIGS. 21-24, another embodiment of a spout incorporating aventing feature is shown. As shown in FIG. 21 the shape, size andconfiguration of ribs 145 generally mirrors the shape, size andconfiguration of bottom sealing wall 143. Also, as seen in FIG. 24,similar to the uninterrupted perimeter of the bottom sealing wall 143,the perimeter of the ribs 145 is uninterrupted, allowing the pouch 16 toform an uninterrupted fluid tight seal along the entirety of theperimeter of the ribs 145 from one wing 28 to opposite wing 28. Thisfluid-tight attachment or bonding between the pouch 16 and the ribs 145may involve an adhesive, a melted thermoplastic, heat welding,ultrasonic welding, or other means for sealing the structures together.

As shown in FIG. 22, extending through each rib 145 from a top surfaceto a bottom surface of each rib 145 is a gap 149, formed as a hole oraperture extending from a top surface of each rib 145 to a bottomsurface of each rib. As shown in FIG. 22, gaps 149 define vents whichpermit fluid communication between inner spaces 190 and the outsideenvironment after the pouch and mounting portion 140 have been attached.The holes or apertures in ribs 145 forming gaps 149 can be formed inribs 145 prior to attachment of spout 14 to pouch 16. In otherembodiments, gaps 149 can be formed in ribs 145 after spout 14 and pouch16 have been attached. Although in FIGS. 21-24 gaps 149 are illustratedas round holes, gaps 149 may have any shape or cross-section and thedimensions of gaps 149 may vary from those shown in the figures.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, another embodiment of a spout 14incorporating a vent is shown. As shown in FIG. 25, the shape, size andconfiguration of ribs 145 generally mirrors the shape, size andconfiguration of bottom sealing wall 143. As illustrated by FIG. 25, inthis embodiment ribs 145 extend between wings 28, similar to bottomsealing wall 143. However, as shown in FIG. 26, unlike the bottomsealing wall 143, which has an uninterrupted outer perimeter (as shownin FIG. 15), the outer perimeter of ribs 145 is interrupted by gaps 149.The gaps 149 formed in the perimeter of ribs 145 extend from a bottomsurface to a top surface of each rib 145. In FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 gaps149 are shown as extending through the ribs 149 from the outer perimeterof ribs 145 to the support wall 141. However, in other embodiments gaps149 may extend through the ribs 145 from the outer perimeter of ribs 145to a depth that does not extend all the way to support wall 141. Gaps149 may be formed along any portion of ribs 145 between first and secondwings 28. Also, although in FIGS. 25 and 26 gaps 149 are illustrated ashaving a generally rectangular shape, gaps 149 may have any shape orcross-section and the dimensions of gaps 149 may vary from those shownin the figures.

As seen in FIG. 26, because gaps 149 are formed in the outer perimeterof ribs 145, the interface between the inner surfaces of the sidewallsof the pouch 16 and the ribs 145 is interrupted along those portions ofthe length of the ribs 145 at which gaps 149 are formed in the ribs 145.As also seen in FIG. 26, at those portions at which the outer perimeterof ribs 145 is in contact with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls ofpouch 16, the outer perimeters of ribs 145 are configured to form afluid-tight interface with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of pouch16. This fluid-tight attachment or bonding between the pouch 16 and theribs 145 may involve an adhesive, a melted thermoplastic, heat welding,ultrasonic welding, or other means for sealing the structures together.

As seen in FIG. 26, at those portions along the length of ribs 145 atwhich gaps 149 are formed, the pouch 16 is attached to mounting portion140 such that the pouch 16 lays taut against the outer perimeter of themounting portion 140 so as to prevent the pouch from occluding gaps 149and to allow for fluid communication between spaces 190 and the outsideenvironment.

As illustrated by the various embodiments discussed above, spout 14 mayinclude multiple ribs 145. Alternatively, in other embodiments, a spout14 incorporating vents as shown in any of these embodiments may includeonly a single rib 145. Shown in FIG. 27 is one embodiment of a spout 14including a single rib 145. The structure and configuration of the rib145 and the corresponding vent formed by gaps 149 in the embodimentshown in FIG. 27 is similar to the structure and configuration of theribs 145 and the corresponding vents formed by gaps 149 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 13. However, whereas in FIG. 13 the mountingportion 140 is illustrated as including three ribs, as seen in FIG. 27,the mounting portion includes a single rib 145. Although FIG. 27illustrates an embodiment of a spout having only a single rib 145 andhaving a mounting portion 140 including a vent structure similar to thevent structure disclosed with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 13discussed above, the use of a single rib 145 may be incorporated intoany of the embodiments of the mounting portion 140 having a ventstructure as discussed herein.

As shown in FIG. 28, a spout 10 incorporating a venting feature as shownin any of the embodiments disclosed herein may also include one or moreside projections 146. Although FIG. 28 illustrates an embodiment of aspout incorporating side projections 146 having a mounting portion 140including a vent structure similar to the vent structure disclosed withreference to the embodiment of FIG. 13 discussed above, side projections146 may be incorporated into any of the embodiments of a mountingportion 140 having a vent structure as discussed herein.

Referring to FIG. 28, side projections 146 may be configured to providea greater surface area against which to seal the pouch 16, allowing fora more secure attachment of the spout 14 to the pouch 16. Also, sideprojections 146 may be configured to strengthen and prevent distortionand/or damage to the spout 14 and to prevent damage to or accidentalrupturing of the pouch 16 after the pouch 16 and spout 14 have beenattached.

As shown in FIG. 28, in some embodiments side projections 146 projectinwardly from wings 28. In other embodiments, side projections 146 mayextend perpendicularly outward from support wall 141 or radially outwardfrom tube 20. Side projections 146 may be spaced in between adjacentribs 145, and the outer perimeter of the side projections 146 maygenerally mirror the shape, size and configuration of the bottom sealingwall 143 and/or the ribs 145. Although two side projections 146 areshown extending from each surface of both wings 28 in the embodimentshown in FIG. 28, in other embodiments the number and positioning ofside projections 146 may vary.

In one embodiment, not shown, side projection 146 may include a singleside projection 146 having a height substantially similar to the heightof wings 28 and extending from one wing 28 to the opposite wing 28 onboth the front and rear sides of the mounting portion 140. In such anembodiment, the side projection 146 may form an annular wall whichcircumferentially surrounds the entire outer perimeter of ribs 145around both the front and rear of the mounting portion 140. In such anembodiment, the side projection 146 may be configured to maximize thesurface area of the mounting portion 140 to which the pouch 16 may besealed. In some embodiments, the entirety of the bottom perimeter of theside projection may be attached to and circumferentially surround theupper surface of bottom sealing wall 143. In other embodiments, the sideprojection 146 may be attached to the mounting portion 140 only at wings28. A mounting portion 140 having such a side projection 146 may beincorporated into the structure of any of the mounting portions 140disclosed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 29-30, another embodiment of a container assembly 10including vents that allow for fluid communication between the externalenvironment and cavities (such as, e.g. spaces 190) formed between theinner surfaces of the sidewalls of pouch 16 and the external surfaces ofmounting portion 140 when the mounting portion 140 and pouch areattached, is shown. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, gaps 149 are formed inthe upper portion of pouch 16. Gaps 149 are formed as holes or aperturesthat extend from an outer surface of the sidewalls of pouch 16 to aninner surface of the sidewalls of pouch 16, creating a passagewaythrough which fluid, such as, e.g., air, may pass. The holes orapertures in pouch 16 forming gaps 149 can be formed in pouch 16 priorto attachment of spout 14 to pouch 16. In other embodiments, gaps 149can be formed in pouch 16 after spout 14 and pouch 16 have beenattached. Although gaps 149 are illustrated as round holes, gaps 149 mayinclude any shape or cross-section and the dimensions of gaps 149 mayvary from those shown in the figures.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, in one embodiment a pouch including gaps149 is configured to be attached to a mounting portion 240 which doesnot include any vent structures, similar to the conventional mountingstructure 140′ shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, themounting portion 240 may include a bottom sealing wall 243 and ribs 245whose outer perimeters are configured to form an uninterrupted,fluid-tight interface with the inner surfaces of the sidewalls of pouch16 when the pouch 16 and spout 14 are attached. Additionally, the bottomsealing wall 243 and ribs 245 each include a solid structure that, withthe exception of an opening through which tube 20 passes, includes noapertures or holes that pass from a bottom surface to a top surface. Theopenings in the bottom sealing wall 243 and ribs 245 through which tube20 passes are attached to the exterior surface of tube 20 via afluid-tight attachment.

Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, gaps 149 are arranged on the pouch 16 suchthat when pouch 16 and spout 14 are attached, the gaps 149 are alignedin between adjacent ribs 245 such that gaps 149 provide a vent thatallows for fluid communication between spaces 190 formed betweenadjacent ribs 245 and between bottommost rib 245 and bottom sealing wall243 and the outside of the pouch 16.

Although in the embodiment of FIGS. 31 and 32 a pouch 16 including gaps149 is shown attached to a mounting portion 240 that does not includevent structures, the pouch 16 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 29 and 30may be used with and attached to a mounting portion 140 including ventsaccording to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Similar to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, in such embodiments in which amounting portion 140 including vents is attached to a pouch 16 alsohaving vents, pouch 16 is attached to spout 14 such that the gaps 149 ofpouch 16 are aligned and positioned in between ribs 145 of the mountingportion 140, such as illustratively shown in FIGS. 31 and 32.

Referring to FIG. 33, a container assembly 10 including vent features asdiscussed in detail above with reference to FIGS. 13-32 is shown as thecontainer assembly 10 undergoes HPP. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 33,as the ambient pressure surrounding the container assembly 10 increases,gaps 149 in the container assembly 10 allow for fluid communicationbetween the outside of the container assembly 10 and spaces 190. Byproviding for fluid communication between the spaces 190 and theenvironment surrounding the outside of the container assembly 10, thepressure inside spaces 190 is able to equalize relative to the ambientpressure. Therefore, as the ambient pressure increases during HPP, thepressure inside spaces 190 is also able to correspondingly increase. Asa result, the increasing forces acting on the external surface of thesidewalls of the pouch 16 resulting from the increased ambient pressureare counteracted by equal but opposite forces acting on the internalsurface of the sidewalls of the pouch 16 resulting from thecorrespondingly increased pressure inside spaces 190. Because the forcesacting on the external surface of the sidewalls of the pouch 16 arecounteracted by the forces acting on the internal surfaces of thesidewalls of the pouch 16, the changing pressure occurring during HPPdoes not result or cause the deterioration, deformation, or otherimpairment of the pouch 16 and/or the attachment between the pouch 16and mounting portion 140, which would normally occur in a containerassembly formed without vents (e.g., such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

Although FIG. 33 illustrates a container assembly 10 including a ventstructure similar to the vent structure disclosed with reference to theembodiment of FIG. 13 undergoing HPP, a container assembly 10 includinga vent structure according to any of the embodiments discussed withreference to FIGS. 13-32 above would allow for a similar equalization ofinternal and ambient pressures during HPP.

Although the spout 14 and pouch 16 of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 4-12 are not shown as including vent structures, and the spouts 14of the embodiments of FIGS. 13-33 are not shown as having modifiedmounting portion 40 features as shown in and described with reference toFIGS. 4-12, it is understood that in some embodiments the spout 14and/or pouch 16 of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-12 may be modified toinclude vent structures such as those described with reference to FIGS.13-33. Similarly, it is understood that the mounting portion 140 of thespouts 14 of the embodiments of FIGS. 13-33 may be modified to includethe features of the modified mounting portion 40 described withreference to FIGS. 4-12. Such container assemblies 10, having both amodified mounting portion 40 and vent features, may provide increasedresistance to deformation, damage, and/or other degradation of the pouch16 and/or pouch 16 and spout 14 interface that may result from changesin temperature and/or pressure and/or from forces being imparted ontothe container assembly 10.

One example of a container assembly 10 incorporating both a modifiedmounting portion 40 and vent structures is illustrated in FIGS. 34 and35. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, in one embodiment, the containerassembly 10 may include a spout 14 with a modified mounting portion 40such as shown and described in FIG. 4 attached to a pouch 16 havingvents such as shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30.

Referring to FIGS. 36-47B, various embodiments of a closure 12 that maybe coupled to the upper end of a spout 14 to form container assembly 10are described. It is to be understood that the various embodiments ofclosure 12 described below may be incorporated into a spout 14 and pouch16 assembly according to any of, or any combination of, the embodimentsdiscussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 4-35.

FIG. 36 shows closure 12 coupled to an upper spout portion of spout 14having a mounting portion 40 such as illustrated in the embodiment ofspout 14 of FIG. 4. In various embodiments, closure 12 includes threads59 that engage cooperating threads 58 on spout 14. Closure 12 includesan outer wall 18, with an interior upper edge 21 that defines a topopening. As shown in FIG. 36, outer wall 18 may include a textureddesign 154 molded into the exterior surface of the outer wall 18 thatfacilitates gripping by a user. In other embodiments, the textureddesign 154 may be etched, printed, or adhered to the outer wall 18. Thepattern of the textured design 154 may vary in size, complexity,symmetry, or distribution. Alternatively, the outer wall 18 may beformed without a textured design 154.

Closure 12 includes a central wall portion, shown as central cylinder24, that is coupled to an inner surface of outer wall 18 by radial walls26 such that open spaces or channels 27 are defined within closure 12.Channels 27 extend vertically through closure 12 from interior upperedge 21 to lower edge 30 such that airflow is permitted through closure12. As such, if the closure 12 is accidently swallowed by a user, airmay flow through channels 27, allowing the user to breathe.

In one embodiment, radial walls 26 are monolithically and integrallyformed with the inner surface of outer wall 18. In alternateembodiments, the radial walls 26 are formed independently andsubsequently attached to the inner surface of outer wall 18. Althoughthe embodiment shown includes four radial walls 26, closure 12 mayinclude any number of radial walls 26 as may be appropriate based on thematerial of the closure 12, the dimensions of the closure 12, and theintended use of the container assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 37A-37C, a closure 12 according to one embodimentincludes a tamper band 32 including wall sections 36 extending from thelower end of central cylinder 24. A pair of frangible bridge sections 38is located between ends 37 of adjacent tamper band wall sections 36.Located on the inner surface of wall sections 36 is an engagementstructure or wall, shown as J-band sections 42, that extends radiallyinward away from inner surfaces of wall sections 36 and upward towardthe upper end of closure 12.

In the embodiment shown, J-band sections 42 are sections that areintegrally molded with the rest of tamper band 32 and are connected tothe lower end 45 of tamper band 32. In one embodiment, J-band sections42 are molded in the positioning shown in FIGS. 37A-37C with aconnector, shown as u-shaped curved connector section 44, molded in theu-shape shown in FIGS. 37A-37C. In another embodiment, J-band sections42 are molded extending downward from lower end 45, and followingmolding, J-band sections 42 are folded upward and inward relative totamper band 32 forming u-shaped connector section 44. In either moldingarrangement, connector section 44 provides the transition from thegenerally downwardly extending wall section 36 to the generally upwardlyextending J-band sections 42.

J-band sections 42 are angled radially inwards relative to wall sections36. Further, J-band sections 42 each have an upper edge or surface 47that defines the uppermost surface of each J-band section 42. J-bandsections 42 have a height (e.g., the dimension in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the closure) that is less than the heights of wallsections 36. In this arrangement, the upper surface 47 of each J-bandsection 42 is below both the upper portion 35 of wall section 36, andbelow the lower most edge 49 of central cylinder 24. Further, as shownin FIG. 37A-37C, wall sections 36 have a length in the circumferentialdirection that is equal to or greater than the length of J-band sections42 in the circumferential direction. In various embodiments, the angularlength of wall sections 36 in the circumferential direction is greaterthan the angular length of J-band sections 42 in the circumferentialdirection.

As shown in FIGS. 37A-37C, tamper band 32 includes tamper band posts,shown as post sections 51. Post sections 51 are located in thecircumferential direction between ends 37 of tamper band wall sections36. Post sections 51 provide a structure that bridge sections 38 arecoupled to. In this arrangement, the clockwise and counterclockwisefacing surfaces of post sections 51 and the opposing, clockwise andcounterclockwise facing ends 37 of the adjacent wall sections 36 definespaces or gaps as shown in FIGS. 37A-37C. To further provide structureto tamper band 32, post sections 51 are located below one of the radialwalls 26. By providing a relatively robust, rigid and supported anchorpoint, this positioning of post sections 51 may facilitate consistentbreakage of tamper band 32 at bridges 38 upon removal of closure 12 fromspout 14 because of the relative low level of bend or distortionexperienced by post sections 51 at twist off. In this arrangement,bridge sections 38 are coupled between opposing clockwise andcounterclockwise surfaces of post sections 51 and of wall sections 36.

In addition to post sections 51, which initially couple the tamper band32 to the upper portion of closure 12, tamper band 32 is also connectedto the upper portion of closure 12 by hinges 33. As shown in FIGS.37A-37C, closure 12 includes hinge support walls 31 that extend radiallyinwardly from the interior upper edge 21 of the closure 12 to a locationproximate the upper end 43 of the tamper band 32. As shown in FIG. 37B,in one embodiment, the hinge support walls 31 are circumferentiallyspaced about the closure 12 such that hinge support walls 31 arebisected by, or bisect, the radial walls 26 which also extend radiallyinwardly from the interior upper edge 21 of the closure. In someembodiments hinge support walls 31 do not extend from and are notdirectly attached to upper edge 21. Instead, the support walls 31 may besupported entirely by and extending generally perpendicularly fromradial walls 26.

Located at the lower edge of each hinge support wall 31 is a pair ofhinges 33 that extend from the lower edge of hinge support wall 31 tothe upper portion 35 of wall sections 36. As shown in FIGS. 37A-37C,hinges 33 are spaced at opposite sides of the lower edge of hingesupport walls 31 and hinges 33 extend downwardly to tamper band 32 suchthat a first hinge 33 a of a pair of hinges located on a hinge supportwall 31 is positioned above end 37 of a first wall section 36, and thesecond hinge 33 b of the pair of hinges is positioned above end 37 of anopposing adjacent wall section 36.

Along with post sections 51, the attachment of hinges 33 at opposingends 37 of adjacent wall sections 36 along the tamper band 32 isconfigured to provide an additional structured and supported attachmentof tamper band 32 to the upper portion closure 12. Specifically, thisattachment of hinges 33 to tamper band 32 at locations generallysituated above bridge pairs 38 and the positioning of each hinge 33 a,33 b of a pair of hinges 33 on opposing sides of a post sections 51 isconfigured to increase the resistance required to break or otherwisedistort the bridges 38, and thereby prevent inadvertent or accidentalbreakage of the tamper band 32. Additionally, by increasing thisresistance, molding of the closure 12 is facilitated.

As shown in FIGS. 37A-37C, hinges 33 may be attached to tamper band 32along the upper edge of the upper portion 35 of wall sections 36. Inother embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 38, hinges 33 may be joined totamper band 32 at the outer surfaces of wall sections 36. In otherembodiments, such as seen in FIG. 39, hinges may be connected to thetamper band 32 at the inner surfaces of wall sections 36. Hinges 33 maybe attached at their upper ends to hinge support walls 31 by extendingdirectly from the lower edge of hinge support walls 31. Alternatively,in some embodiments the upper ends of hinges 33 may be attached toeither the inner or outer surfaces of the hinge support walls 31.

In some embodiments, the entire closure 12 may be monolithically formed,(e.g. by injection molding) as a single, unitary structure. In otherembodiments, various components of closure 12 may initially be formedseparately and may be subsequently connected together. In oneembodiment, hinges 33 may be monolithically formed with hinge supportwalls 31 and subsequently attached to tamper band 32. In one embodiment,hinges 33 may be monolithically formed with tamper band 32 andsubsequently be attached to hinge support walls 31.

In various embodiments, wall sections 36 each extend at least 120degrees around the perimeter of central cylinder 24, specifically atleast 150 degrees around the perimeter of central cylinder 24, and morespecifically at least 160 degrees around the perimeter of centralcylinder 24.

In various embodiments, wall sections 36 are configured to provide arelatively compete band surrounding the base of central cylinder 24. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 37A-37C, tamper band 32 includes four wallsections 36. However, tamper band 32 may include any number of wallsections 36 that are connected to adjacent wall sections 36 by a pair ofbridge sections 38. As shown in FIG. 40, in one embodiment tamper band32 includes three wall sections 36. In another embodiment, illustratedin FIGS. 41A and 41B, tamper band 32 may include two wall sections 36.

In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 37A-37C, thenumber of hinge support walls 31 and the number of pairs of hinges 33equals the number of pairs of bridge sections 38. In other embodiments,the number of hinge support walls 31 and the number of pairs of hinges33 may be more or may be less than the number of pairs of bridgesections 38.

FIG. 42 shows approximately one half of closure 12 of the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 37A-37C in cross-section. As shown in FIG. 42, eachsection of each of the tamper band wall sections 36 includes one J-bandsection 42. Thus, in the embodiment of closure 12 shown in FIGS.37A-37C, tamper band 32 includes a total of four J-band sections 42 anda total of four wall sections 36. However, in other embodiments, wallsections 36 may include more than one J-band section 42 (for example asshown in the embodiment of FIGS. 41A and 42B). Alternatively, in otherembodiments not every wall section 36 includes a J-band section 42. Assuch, the tamper band 32 may include various numbers of J-band sections42, such as 2, 3, 5, 6, etc. J-band sections.

Referring to FIG. 43, a cross sectional view of closure 12 coupled to aspout 14 having a mounting portion 40 such as illustrated in theembodiment of FIG. 4 is shown. As shown in FIG. 43, when closure 12 isfully engaged on spout 14, J-band sections 42 are engaged underneathflange 60. In this arrangement, lower end 45 of tamper band 32 is facingflange 64 and there is a small amount of clearance between the lowermost surface of tamper band 32 and the upper surface of flange 64.Further, J-band sections 42 are positioned such that upper surfaces 47of each J-band are facing and located beneath flange 60.

Referring to FIG. 44, a detailed view of the interaction between J-bands42 and spout 14 are shown. Spout 14 includes a plurality of generallyvertically extending ribs 61 located below flange 60. Ribs 61 interactwith the radially innermost section of J-band 42 during cap removallimiting the ability of J-bands 42 from tucking under flange 60. In thismanner, ribs 61 provide a surface that allows J-bands 42 to transitionover the outermost edge of flange 60 during cap removal.

During removal of closure 12 from spout 14, flange 60 includes an outersurface that acts as a catch ledge. As closure 12 is twisted-off andremoved, closure 12 moves upwards relative to spout 14, causing J-bandsections 42 to interact with flange 60. As J-band sections 42 interactwith flange 60, tamper band 32 is forced outward. As the closure 12continues to move upwards relative to the spout 14, the interaction ofJ-band sections 42 with flange 60 continues to force tamper band 32further outwards. This distortion of the tamper band 32 results in thebreaking of bridge pairs 38. Specifically, as tamper band 32 passes overflange 60 upon removal of closure 12, flange 60 acts to spread brokentamper band 32 and pushes broken tamper band 32 radially outward. Thebroken sections of tamper band 32 pivot radially outward about hinges 33under the interaction with flange 60, as shown in FIG. 45 and FIG. 46.

A shown by the comparison of closure 12 prior to removal (as shown inFIG. 47A) to the closure 12 after the tamper band 32 has been broken (asshown in FIG. 47B), the broken bridge sections 38 and the radiallyoutwardly displaced tamper band 32 provides visual tamper indication toa user that the closure 12 has previously been opened. As shown in FIG.47B, because the wall sections 36 are attached to the upper portion ofclosure 12 at each end by hinges 33, once the tamper band 32 has beenbroken, the wall sections 36 are constrained in the manner in which thewall section 36 outwardly deflect. Furthermore, because the wallsections 36 are attached at each end by hinges 33, the free ends ofbroken bridges are relatively radially constrained by the hingedattachment of wall sections 36. Because the hinged connection of wallsection 36 is configured to prevent the free ends from significantlyprojecting radially outwards from closure 12, in the event that theclosure 12 is accidently swallowed by a user, the damage to the user'sairway caused by the free ends of the wall sections 36 may be minimized.

Although the closure 12 has been described as having a tamper band 32comprising J-band sections 42 which are configured to interact withflange 60 of spout 14 during twist-off and removal of the closure tobreak the tamper band 32, in other embodiments the hinged tamper band 32may comprise structures other than J-band sections 42 that interact orengage with spout 14 to break the hinged tamper band. For example, inone embodiment, tamper band may comprise one or more radially inwardlyprojecting flanges that extend from the inner wall sections 36. In suchan embodiment, spout 14 may include one or more structures configured tointeract with the flanges of tamper band during twist-off to breaktamper band. In other embodiment, the hinged tamper band may comprisewall sections 36 that include gaps that are initially positioned aboutoutwardly extending flanges formed on spout 14. In such an embodiment,during twist-off the flanges of spout interact with the gaps of wallsections to break the hinged tamper band.

In various embodiments, the closure 12 and/or spout 14 may be formedfrom a molded plastic material. In various embodiments, closure 12and/or spout 14 may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, or any other suitable plastic material. In variousembodiments, the closure 12 and/or spout 14 may be formed through anysuitable molding method including, injection molding, compressionmolding, etc.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “attached to”means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additionalintermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary bodywith one another or with the two members or the two members and anyadditional member being attached to one another. Such joining may bepermanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable innature.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, includingangles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actualmeasurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, anglesand proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplaryembodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relativedimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from theFigures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one ormore relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from theFigures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in thisdescription can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measuredin the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out inthis description. It should also be understood that the terminology isfor the purpose of description only and should not be regarded aslimiting.

While the current application recites particular combinations offeatures in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of theinvention relate to any combination of any of the features describedherein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and anysuch combination of features may be claimed in this or futureapplications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of theexemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or incombination with any of the features, elements, or components of any ofthe other embodiments discussed above in the implementation of theteachings of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spout for use with a flexible container, thespout comprising: a flow channel configured to fluidly connect aninterior of a container with a location outside the container; amounting portion formed about the flow channel, the mounting portioncomprising a generally vertically extending wall having an inner surfaceand an exterior surface, the inner surface of the wall defining anopening that is in fluid communication with the flow channel and theinterior of the container; one or more horizontally extending raisedelements extending radially outwards from the exterior surface of thewall, each of the raised elements having a mounting surface configuredfor sealing to an inner surface of the container; a distance as measuredalong a height of the mounting portion between a first mounting surfaceof a first element and a second mounting surface of an adjacent secondelement being defined by a length H; a distance as measured along theperiphery of a portion of the exterior surface extending between thefirst mounting surface and the second mounting surface being defined bya length P; wherein the length P is no more than 10% greater than thelength H.
 2. The spout of claim 1, wherein the length P is no more than5% greater than the length H.
 3. The spout of claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of the outer surface of each raised element extends verticallyalong an outward facing curve.
 4. The spout of claim 3, wherein theexterior surface extending in between adjacent raised elements extendsvertically along an inward facing curve.
 5. The spout of claim 4,wherein the outward facing curve of each the raised elements transitionsinto the inward facing curve of the exterior surface located in betweenadjacent raised elements along a generally smooth, curvilinear surface.6. The spout of claim 1, further including a pouch having an interiorattached to the mounting surfaces of the raised elements.
 7. The spoutof claim 6, wherein the interior of the pouch are filled with contents.8. A spout for a pouch that holds contents, the spout comprising: a tubedefining a central channel having an inlet to receive the contents fromthe pouch and an outlet to release the contents to an area external tothe pouch; and a mounting portion coupled to the tube, the mountingportion comprising: a plurality of ribs extending radially outward fromthe tube to define an outer perimeter that includes an end portion ofthe ribs tapering into a transition portion such that the pouch issealed taut against the outer perimeter to form an uninterruptedfluid-tight interface.
 9. The spout of claim 8, wherein a rib of theplurality of ribs includes a top surface and a bottom surface anddefines a gap extending from the top surface of the respective rib tothe bottom surface of the respective rib.
 10. The spout of claim 9,further comprising at least two support walls surrounding the tube andextending in opposing directions radially outward from the tube, whereinthe gap of a rib extends from the outer perimeter to the support wall.11. A closure for a spout, the closure comprising: a plurality ofthreads to engage the spout; an outer wall defining an outer surfacefacing outward, an inner surface opposite the outer surface, an upperedge defining a top opening, and a lower edge opposite the upper edge; acentral wall portion coupled to the outer wall and interior to the outerwall, the central wall portion defining an outer perimeter and a lowerend; a tamper band including: a plurality of wall sections spacedcircumferentially around and extending from the lower end of the centralwall portion, the plurality of wall sections including an inner surfacewith a plurality of engagement structures that interface with the spout;a plurality of frangible bridge sections, which break upon removal ofthe closure from the spout, coupled to the plurality of wall sections;and a plurality of post sections coupled between a respective pair offrangible bridge sections, wherein the plurality of post sectionsextends from the respective pair of frangible bridge sections upwardstowards the top opening of the outer wall to facilitate breakage of thetamper band of at least one of the respective pair of frangible bridgesections upon removal of the closure from the spout.
 12. The closure ofclaim 11, further comprising an annular support wall that extends fromthe top edge of the annular outer wall, wherein the annular support walldefines a plurality of channels to provide fluid communication betweenan exterior of the outer wall and an interior of the outer wall.
 13. Theclosure of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of lateral wallsextending radially outward from the outer perimeter of the central wallportion to the inner surface of the outer wall, wherein the plurality ofchannels are at least partially defined by the plurality of lateralwalls.
 14. The closure of claim 13, wherein the plurality of postsections does not extend above the plurality of lateral walls.
 15. Theclosure of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of hinge supportwalls attached to and providing support to a plurality of hinges, spacedcircumferentially around a center of the closure, and bisected by theplurality of walls.
 16. The closure of claim 15, wherein a hinge of theplurality of hinges extends downwardly to the tamper band to couple thetamper band to the central wall portion.
 17. The closure of claim 15,wherein the plurality of hinge support walls extend from the centralwall portion to the annular support wall.
 18. The closure of claim 17,wherein the plurality of hinges is grouped in pairs, such that a firsthinge of a pair is positioned above a wall section of the plurality ofwall sections, and the second hinge of the pair is positioned above anadjacent wall section of the plurality of wall sections.
 19. The closureof claim 12, wherein the plurality of engagement structures extends fromthe inner surface of the plurality of wall sections towards the upperedge of the outer wall.
 20. The closure of claim 12, wherein an angularlength of the wall sections with respect to a center of the closure isgreater than an angular length of the engagement structures with respectto the center of the closure.